Drawbar and coupling



Feb. 7, 1933. w. B. LYON DRAWBAR AND COUPLING Filed Oct 23, 1929 swam kwPatented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES WIII'JLIAIM.v BOGART LYON. OFLAKEWOOD, OHIO nRAwBA'n Ann COUPLING Application filed October 23, 1929.Serial No; 401,869.

This invention relates to draw bars and couplings and particularly tothose of the pin and link or bar type. In some couplers of thischaracter, the pin constitutes the only means for holding the link inlocked position. In other cases, a latch has been utilized fortransferring the stresses from the link directly to the body of thecoupler, but the latch alone is objectionable in that it may be jerkedout of position or broken while in use.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a doublelock for a coupler of this type and particularly to use the latch andpin, so that one acts as a safety lock in the event of breakage of theother during use.

A further object of this invention is to provide means whereby the latchand pin may be set in much the same manner as the present type ofknuckle coupler is set prior to the coupling operation, and whereby theimpact of coacting couplers will function automatically to move thelatch and pin into locking position. In this connection, myinventioncontemplates the use of a. latch mechanism which will compensateautomatically for wear on either the latch or pin.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a couplerwith which my invention is adapted for use; Fig.2 is a longitudinalsection through a coupler, embodying my invention and illustrating alocking bar associated therewith; Fig. 3 is a similar longitudinalsectional view, showing the looking pin in position prior to thecoupling, and showing a link in place of the locking bar; Fig. 4 is aperspective viewof the locking bar, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of alocking pawl, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the pawland the open end of the coupler.

A coupler, with which my invention is adapted for use, is shown asembodying a shank 1, which has a hollow passageway 3 extendingtherethrough and providing a compartment within which a locking bar 4;may be positioned when not in use. The active bar is shown in Fig. 2adjacent the head end of the coupler and as having an upwardlyprojecting lip 16 at each end thereof. The

inner surface of each lip forms a shoulder, which is adapted to beengaged by thelower edge of a pawl 9. Such pawl is disposed within thehead and is pivotally mounted thereon as by a pin, which extendstransversely of the coupler and through openings 18 in the pawl. Suchpivotal connection allows the pawl to be oscillated about the upperportion thereof;

To permit actuation of the locking pawl, I have shown a pin thatprojects upwardly through the center of the'head, as shown in Fig. .1,and isconnected at the top thereof to a chain 11. The lower end of suchpin is pivotally connected to the pawl at 20, so that when the pin israised by operation of the usual coupling pin rod, the pawl is. swungupwardly about its pivotal connection with the head. Fig. 2 shows thepawl in locking position at which time the lower edge of the pawlengages one of the shoulders on the bar. It is apparent therefore, thatany pulling stresses exerted on the bar will be transmitted directlythrough the pawl to the coupler head. This is a desirable feature, asthe load transmitting memberis placed substantially entirely undercompression.

To provide a double look, I insert a pin 8 through an aperture 5 in theforward part and top of the head, and I provide a plurality of spacedopenings in the bar, as are indicated at 12, 18, 14 and 15 respectivelyin Fig. 4. One

of such openings is adapted to register with the opening 5 in the head,as the bar is moved into the head during the coupling operation.

Prior to the coupling operation, the pawl hangs substantially verticallyand part of the pawl intercepts a continuation of the passageway 5.Itherefore, utilize such intercepting portion for holding the lockingpin 8 suspended in an opening in the forward top part of thecouplerhead, as is shown in Fig. 3. There is. sufiicient friction between thepawl and the tapered end of the pin, to hold the pin suspended againstthe action ofgravity,until the pawl is swung upwardly about its pivot bythe bar of'a coacting coupler. To permit free descent ofthe locking pin8 at such time,Ichamferthe pawl as is indicated at 17 in Fig. 5 Suchchamfered portion creates suflicient friction to hold the pin insuspended position, and yet allows suiiicient clearance to permit freedownward movement thereof, as soon as the pawl has been swung upwardlyby a coacting bar. Such downward movement of the locking pin continuesuntil the pin strikes one of the openings, as at 12 or 13 in the bar,whence the pin passes through the bar and engages an opening in thebottom wall of the head. The openings 12, 13, 14- and 15 providesufficient clearance, so that load stresses may be transmitted directlyto the head through the pawl, wherefore such stresses are only impartedto the pin in case of emergency.

The chamfered portion 17 on the latch is so arranged that the pin isheld in suspended position solely by lateral pressure against the sideof the pin. The curvature of the chamfered portion is also so arrangedthat the latch is normally held in oblique position, as is shown in Fig.3, prior to the coupling operation. Thus, if any wear should occur oneither the pin or latch, the latch will still function to hold the pinin suspended position, for any wear upon either the latch or pin wouldonly cause the latch to approach a vertical position while the pin issuspended thereby.

To uncouple the cars, it is only necessary to pull upwardly on the chain11. This raises the pin 8 and also lifts the pawl out of engagement withthe bar and allows it to be removed from the head.

An advantage of my invention is the fact that I have provided a doublelock, which may be operated automatically upon cou pling, and thatsubstantially all of the load stresses are transmitted to the headthrough a relatively heavy member.

A further advantage of my invention is the fact that automaticcompensation for a reasonable amount of wear is provided for between thepawl and pin, for any wear on either the pawl or pin will still permitthe pawl to hold the pin so long as the pawl is in engagement therewith.By making the pawl materially heavier than the pin, it is apparent thatthe automatic feature of setting the coupler and for operating it willbe maintained substantially throughout the life of the coupler.

What I claim is:

In a device of the character'deseribed, the combination with a carcoupler head, of a locking member adapted to extend into the head, saidmember having a shoulder thereon, a pivoted pawl having a ehamferedportion at its upper end providing an engaging face below the pivotmounted within the head and being adapted when locked in position, tohave one end in engagement with the shoulder on the locking member andthe other end in engagement with the head, said member having an openingextending therethrough specification;

WILLIAM BOGAR-T LYON.

